FORMAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
IN THE WORKPLACE

Many employers have set up a Formal Grievance Procedure in the
workplace.This provides a framework in which the employee can raise, and
hopefully resolve, internal disputes at work.

The advantages of a Formal Grievance Procedure are:

Consistency,

Greater transparency,

A formal record of the dispute is created and attempts to resolve it
formally documented,

A level of certainty is created in the procedures to follow,

It indicate a commitment by the employer to resolve internal matters
in an open and thorough manner,

It helps alleviate frustrations in the workplace as the employee can
start working through the Formal Grievance Procedure as soon as an
issue arises,

It provides a mechanism to raise concerns firstly with ones direct
supervisor or manager and, failing that, to bring the matter to the
attention of individuals that are normally higher up in the
management or executive structure.

Procedure to follow in the case of a dispute:

If
you suspect that a Formal Grievance Procedure exists, contact your
manager or supervisor to gain a copy of such document.

If a Formal Grievance Procedure exists where you work, it is advisable
to use such procedure before taking the matter outside the workplace.
Employers usually take exception to outsiders meddling in internal
workplace management matters and prefer the Formal Grievance Procedure
to be followed prior to the intervention of a third party.

When an attempt to resolve a dispute through using the Formal Grievance
Procedure fails

:

When a matter is not resolved adequately through following a Formal
Grievance Procedure, professional expert advice should be sought prior
to taking the next step.

(Resigning in frustration should not be considered the solution... Such
resignation may play into the hands of your employer who has acted
inappropriately.)

Professional counsel would be invaluable:

to gain
perspective,

to gain
insight into the legal position, and

to be advised of the various options
available to best protect your rights..

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with the further advice of a professional labour
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user agrees that Labour Protect shall not be liable
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